Smile and Tears in Childhood: A Psychoanalytical Study of Tagores Children Literature

ABOUT THE BOOK

Smile and Tears in Childhood offers a deep psychoanalytical exploration of Rabindranath Tagore’s children’s literature, revealing the emotional complexities and inner worlds of his young characters. Tagore, a visionary poet and philosopher, approached childhood not merely as a phase of innocence and play, but as a realm of intense emotional experiences—marked by joy, sorrow, curiosity, fear, and longing. Through this study, the reader is invited to examine how Tagore’s stories delicately portray the psychological development of children, their subconscious desires, and the subtle conflicts they face within family and society. The book applies Freudian and post-Freudian psychoanalytical theories to Tagore’s narratives, decoding layers of meaning behind seemingly simple tales. Themes of alienation, fantasy, escape, identity formation, and the search for belonging emerge vividly in his characters, often reflecting deeper emotional truths. Tagore’s portrayal of childhood pain, whether due to parental neglect, loss, or social constraints, is balanced by moments of warmth, imagination, and resilience. By bridging literature and psychology, this work uncovers the dual emotions—smile and tears—that shape the essence of childhood. It highlights how Tagore’s stories remain psychologically rich and relevant, offering profound insights into the child’s emotional and cognitive landscape. Smile and Tears in Childhood is a psychoanalytical exploration of Rabindranath Tagore’s children’s literature, focusing on the emotional depth and psychological development of his young characters.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Neelam Rathi (M.A. English, UGC-NET, M.A. Hindi, M.Ed), a multilingual writer, writes in Hindi, English and Urdu. She is working as an Assistant Professor of English in Karambhumi College, Bamnoli, Shamli.  She, once an aspirant for civil sevices exams, is a teacher by profession and a writer by passion. Her creative writings have been appreciated since she started writing at a very tender age.  Her genius is both creative and critical. Her creative stories, articles and poems have made a unique place in different anthologies by reputed publications. She has published a book and a large number critical research papers in national and international journals. Her vast range of study and research include British English Literature, contemporary Indian English fiction, comparative literature, translation studies and cultural studies.